Donald C. Yentsch, 93, Blooming Prairie
Donald C. Yentsch, age 93 of Blooming Prairie, passed away Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna.
Donald Curtis was born May 20, 1925 at home in Westfield Township, the son of Albert F. and Emma T. (Lee) Yentsch. He attended country schools before transferring to Blooming Prairie High School. In January of 1944, Don moved to Minneapolis and worked for two years before returning to Blooming Prairie to help on the family farm.
On Aug. 4, 1948, Don married Elayne Knutson at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. Their marriage was blessed with three children. The couple made their home in Blooming Prairie for five years before moving to the family farm in Westfield Township in 1953. They retired from farming in 1990 and returned to Blooming Prairie. In his retirement, Don mowed lawn for the Blooming Prairie Country Club as well as Brooktree Golf Course in Owatonna.
Don enjoyed snowmobiling, golfing, bowling and stock car racing. He also loved being part of couple’s card club. He was on the Dodge County Township Officers Board serving as secretary, Hayfield Lumber Board, Dodge County Zoning Board and Westfield Township Board for over 20 years. Don was also a member of the Masons and Shriners for over 50 years and on the Dodge County Fair Board for 23 years. He was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church. Don will be dearly missed by his loving family and many friends.
Don is survived by his daughter Denise (Larry) Brekke of Owatonna; daughter-in-law Marilyn Yentsch of Janesville; six grandchildren, Lisa (Jason) Dudley, Jena (Chad) Schoenrock, Matthew (Kellie Kiefer) Brekke, Joshua Brekke, Christopher (Sara Estrem) Brekke, and Sirena Brekke (Dylan Stoehr); four great-grandchildren, James Schoenrock, Ivan Schoenrock, Connor Schoenrock, and Huck Brekke; sister Marion Kruckeberg of College Station, Texas; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Emma Yentsch; wife Elayne Yentsch in 2014; sons Doug Yentsch in 2014 and Dennis Yentsch in 1973; brothers Ernest (Donna) Yentsch and Wayne (Benita) Yentsch; brother-in-law Milton Kruckeberg; by Knutson brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and other extended family members.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with Pastor Heidi Heimgartner officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home with a 7 p.m. Masonic prayer service, and will continue on Saturday morning for one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in Blooming Prairie Cemetery.
Memorials can be directed to First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, the Shriners Children’s Hospital or recipient of donor’s choice. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.